Characterization of epimerization and composition of heparin and dalteparin using a UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method

Heparin is a significant anticoagulant that has been used in clinic over decades. Although numerous efforts have been made to characterize the molecular structure of heparin and its derivatives for safety of the medicine, technical barriers still exist because of their structural complexity. In this study, we have established a method capable to evaluate both the epimerization and composition of heparin and dalteparin by a UHPLC-HILIC/WAXMS/MS approach. Ten major disaccharide building blocks retaining the epimerization configuration of parental heparin chains were generated and well separated, 9 of which were unambiguously identified. Isomer identifications were achieved through high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry analysis with reference to elaborately prepared standards. The method was successfully applied for the sameness study of generic dalteparins in combination with an isotopic labelling procedure. We believe this robust method maybe adapted to quality control in pharmaceutical production of heparin and LMWHs.